Receiving information technology scholarships can go a long way towards supplementing your financial aid package and reducing the financial stress of earning your IT education.

Information technology is a broad umbrella term used to describe a number of disciplines focused on storing, retrieving, transmitting, and manipulating digital data on computer systems within a business context. Specializing your degree in IT is a smart move for anyone looking to turn their passion for computers into a profitable career with plenty of job prospects.

Despite worries over outsourcing, the information technology sector continues to grow rapidly at the faster than average rate of 22% in America. If you’re a tech-savvy student looking to jumpstart an IT career, below are 20 of the best scholarships available to finance your pathway there.

1. AFFIRM Scholarship Program

Deadline: Varies

Annually, the Association for Federal Information Resources Management (AFFIRM) endows a scholarship program to provide up to $5,000 in financial support to scholars who are majoring in information technology at Syracuse University or the University of Maryland University College. Eligible candidates must maintain full-time enrollment status, be at least juniors, exhibit financial need, carry a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, submit a letter of reference from a professor, and show an interest in working in an IT-related career for the federal government. AFFIRM will be expanding the scholarship program soon to provide additional endowments to other universities.

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2. Alice L. Haltom Education Scholarships

Deadline: May 1st

In honor of her unyielding efforts to improve the profession of information and records management during her 30-year career, the Alice L. Haltom Education Fund (ALHEF) proudly delivers annual scholarships to provide $1,000 for associate’s-level students or $2,000 to bachelor’s or master’s-level students. Qualified applicants must be U.S. citizens, attend an accredited American post-secondary institution, have a declared major related to IT, and be planning a career in information and records management. Applications must be accompanied by current official transcripts and three recommendations before the deadline.

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3. Betty Stevens-Frecknall Scholarship

Deadline: May 31st

Through the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP), the Betty Stevens-Frecknall Scholarship is awarded by the Foundation for IT Education annually in honor of an outstanding woman who worked up from cardpunch operator to Navy systems analyst and Region president of the Mid-Atlantic DPMA chapter. To qualify for up to $2,000, candidates must be active AITP student members, have a declared major in information technology or computer science, maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, have completed at least one full semester of college, be enrolled full-time in an accredited U.S. institution, and seek a career in the exciting world of computing.

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4. Dave Sanders Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

Sponsored by the Mile High Chapter of the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) in Denver, the Dave Sanders Memorial Scholarship is granted annually for $1,000 in memory of a technology and business instructor at Columbine High School in Littleton who was among those killed in the 1999 shooting. Eligible applicants must be graduating from Columbine, be accepted for enrollment at any accredited U.S. institution, have declared a major in information technology or another tech-related field, be in good academic standing, and be actively involved in the AITP Mile High Chapter. Candidates must supply a one-page letter of reference from someone currently working in the technology industry.

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5. Dr. Robert W. Sims Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: February 15th

Administered through the Florida Association of Educational Data Systems (FAEDS), the Dr. Robert W. Sims Memorial Scholarship is presented annually for $3,000 to a deserving college student who is currently pursuing a major in any field related to information technology or computer science. Qualified candidates must be U.S. citizens, attend an accredited Florida public or private university, reside within Florida, maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, and exhibit financial need. Along with the application, students must attach an official transcript, three letters of recommendation, a current resume, and a two-page essay highlighting their academic successes and/or tech-related career goals.

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6. Eli Lilly Information Technology Scholarship

Deadline: July 7th

Within the Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) Foundation, the Eli Lily Information Technology Scholarship is awarded each year for $5,000 to graduating high school seniors or current college students who are dedicated to pursuing a degree in information technology. Eligibility candidates must represent a racial or ethnic minority, have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, attend an accredited four-year university, show exceptional leadership potential, possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and be actively involved in community service activities. BDPA members can apply by submitting an application with an official transcript, two recommendations, a 500-word essay, and passport-sized photo.

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7. GET-IT Scholarship Program

Deadline: January 31st

Each year, the Michigan Council of Women in Technology (MCWT) hosts the Girls Exploring Together in Information Technology (GET-IT) Scholarship Program to award $5,000 to female graduating high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate students in Michigan who are enrolled in an accredited information technology major. Applicants must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, have U.S. citizenship, attend any accredited four-year institution nationwide, submit two letters of recommendation, and maintain full-time enrollment in IT courses. Recipients who meet this criteria can reapply for the scholarship for three more years to provide a maximum of $20,000 in funding.

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8. Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: January 15th

In honor of the woman who founded the Institute for Women and Technology to ensure technology’s positive impact on our economic, political, social, and personal lives, the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship is presented each year for $10,000 to female undergraduate or graduate students studying information technology. Candidates must have at least senior-level status, attend an accredited university in the United States, carry a minimum GPA of 3.5, maintain full-time enrollment, and wish to pursue a technology-related career. Recipients will be invited to attend the workshops and social activities at Google’s Annual Scholars Retreat.

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9. Kentucky Student Technology Leadership Scholarship

Deadline: March 1st

Delivered by the Rural Technology Fund (RTF), the Kentucky Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP) Scholarship is designed to grant $1,000 to graduating high school seniors from Kentucky who have a passion for using technology to make positive societal changes. For consideration, candidates must be currently attending a rural high school in Kentucky, be active members of their school’s STLP, be planning to attend an accredited U.S. institution, and wish to pursue a major in a computer or information technology field. Interested students will be asked to answer a series of essay questions to display their passion for a career in technology and pride in their rural community.

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10. Kevin Jetton Service Scholarship

Deadline: May 31st

In honor of his dedication and energetic service to the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) as a local, regional, and national President, the Kevin Jetton Service Scholarship is awarded annually for $2,000 to recognize students’ outstanding service. All applicants must be active AITP student members, have a declared major in computer science or information technology, be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term, attend an accredited university in America, have completed one full college semester, and carry a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. Preference will be given to any candidates who have held leadership roles within AITP student chapters.

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11. Lance Stafford Larson Student Scholarship

Deadline: October 31st

Established in memory of a promising young undergraduate student who died in an electrical accident while studying at the University of Maryland in 1983, the Lance Stafford Larson Student Scholarship is presented annually through the IEEE Computer Society for $500 each year for winners of the student paper competition. Participants must be enrolled in an accredited U.S. institution, be pursuing undergraduate studies, have a declared major in computer science or information technology, have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, and be IEEE members. Eligible students must submit a maximum 20-page scholarly paper on any computer-related subject.

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12. Microsoft Graduate Women’s Scholarship

Deadline: February 11th

With the goal of increasing the number of women pursuing a Ph.D. degree, the Microsoft Graduate Women’s Scholarship is awarded annually for $15,000 to outstanding female students in their second year of studies in a doctoral computer science, electrical engineering, information technology, mathematics, information science, or bioinformatics program. Eligible candidates must be enrolled full-time in an accredited U.S. graduate school, have completed at least one year of their Ph.D. degree, maintain excellent academic standing, and provide two letters of recommendation. Recipients will also be granted a $2,000 travel allowance to attend a professional conference related to their field of study.

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13. NCWIT Collegiate Scholarship Award

Deadline: February 15th

Annually, the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) uses funding from Hewlett-Packard to provide a $7,500 Collegiate Scholarship Award that recognizes outstanding undergraduate women for their computing and technological accomplishments. Qualified applicants must be junior or senior-level students, attend an accredited U.S. institution, have a declared major in information technology or another computing-related field, and be members of the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing community. Award winners will also be invited to the Annual NCWIT Summit in Hilton Head, South Carolina to connect with other technical women.

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14. Paul and Ellen Ruckes Scholarship

Deadline: May 31st

Sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), the Paul and Ellen Ruckes Scholarship is awarded annually for $2,000 to two full-time undergraduate or graduate students who are pursuing a degree in the field of computer science, information technology, computer engineering, or a related science. Qualified candidates must be legally blind with corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, attend an accredited university in the United States, and have good academic standing. In one envelope, applicants must submit an application with official college transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and proof of legal blindness from an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

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15. Pennsylvania Technology Scholarship Fund

Deadline: August 1st

Within the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), the Technology Scholarship Fund has been established to grant $1,000 each year for a maximum of two years to undergraduate students who are enrolled full-time with a major in computer science, computer engineering, information technology, electrical engineering, information security, or related STEM-field. Eligible recipients must reside in Pennsylvania, take at least three credits per semester, attend an approved NETS school in-state, and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. After graduation, scholars must begin work within one year with a tech-focused employer based in Pennsylvania.

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16. Robert Half Technology Scholarships

Deadline: March 1st

In partnership with the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP), Robert Half Technology offers two $2,500 scholarships for student members who are currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program in information technology. Eligible applicants must take at least 12 credits per term, attend an American institution, have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, have AITP student membership, and possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Selection will be based on candidates’ academic achievement, leadership abilities, involvement in community service, financial need, and IT career goals.

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17. Robert V. McKenna Memorial College Scholarship

Deadline: March 16th

Each year, Technology First awards the Robert V. McKenna Memorial College Scholarship to provide $1,000 to two or more deserving college students who have declared a major in computer science, computer information systems, information technology, management information systems, or computer engineering to start an IT career. To qualify, students must be from Southwest Ohio in the counties of Adams, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Darke, Greene, Hamilton, Logan, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, Shelby, or Warren. Eligible candidates must also have at least sophomore standing, be currently enrolled in a regionally accredited college, and carry a minimum major GPA of 3.25.

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18. VIP Women in Technology Scholarships

Deadline: March 9th

Sponsored by the Visionary Integration Professionals (VIP), the Women in Technology Scholarships (WITS) are awarded for $2,500 annually to female students enrolled at two or four-year colleges across the United States to receive a degree in computer science, information technology, management information systems, computer engineering, or another related field. Eligible applicants must be planning a career in technology, earn a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, and maintain a high level of participation in community service or extra-curricular activities. All applications must be accompanied by unofficial transcripts, a current resume, and a 1,000-word essay describing an innovative solution to a current IT problem.

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19. William R. Reaugh Scholarship

Deadline: May 31st

Through the Foundation for IT Education for the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP), the William R. Reaugh Scholarship was created to offer $2,000 annually in honor of his lifetime of service on the association’s Board of Directors. Qualified students must be active AITP members, have a declared major in information technology or computer science, have completed at least one full college semester, maintain full-time enrollment status at an accredited U.S. institution, have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and boast an overall GPA of 3.0 or above. Recipients will be chosen based on extra-curricular activities, scholastic abilities, leadership potential, financial need, and career objectives in IT.

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20. Xerox Technical Minority Scholarship

Deadline: September 30th

As a leading document management corporation, Xerox offers the Technical Minority Scholarship to award up to $10,000 to full-time college students of African American, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native American, Alaskan Native, or Hispanic/Latino descent who are pursuing a technical degree in science subjects, including information technology. Qualified recipients must be enrolled at an accredited U.S. university, be American citizens, maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, and have financial need. Interested students must complete a scholarship application and attach an electronic version of their resume.

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For anyone interested in becoming a web developer, network administrator, health information technician, graphic designer, IT security specialist, IT manager, systems analyst, data scientist, computer hardware engineer, or any other IT-related profession, earning a degree in information technology will provide a solid return on your investment. However, you must first finance four or more years of post-secondary schooling to learn about today’s state-of-the-art technology. Consider applying to some of the great information technology scholarships to receive extra funding to afford your IT education and start a rewarding in-demand career.